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NANTY GLO -- Portage took an eight-point lead into the latter moments of the fourth quarter, only to suffer a 36-29 overtime loss against United Valley in a Heritage Conference football game on Friday night.
The Mustangs use a pair of second-quarter touchdown passes by sophomore quarterback Tyson Burkett to erase a 21-7 deficit and assume a 29-21 lead in front of a sizable Blacklick Valley homecoming crowd at McMullen Memorial Field.
The Mustangs have lost four of their last five games.
"We have good kids who are resilient. We're a young group and we'll get back to work, lick our wounds, and compete next week," Portage coach Marty Slanoc said.
Play of the game: United Valley freshman Carter Killinger blocked a punt attempt and set up United Valley on first and goal at the Portage 9. Shaydon Oleksa scored his fourth touchdown of the night three plays later, a 1-yard run with 3:15 to play in the fourth quarter.
Player of the game: Oleksa scored first-half touchdowns of 53, 37 and 73 yards for United Valley. He finished the night with 233 yards and five touchdowns, including the game winner in overtime.
Unsung hero: Nate Szymusiak, who was named Blacklick Valley homecoming king in pregame ceremonies, added 100 rushing yards on 18 attempts.
Most vital statistics: United Valley rushed for 326 total yards. The Mustangs committed four turnovers, including three lost fumbles, and allowed the blocked punt that swung momentum in the Lions' favor.
Coach Slanoc: "It's a heart-breaking loss in overtime. We had our chances and we didn't capitalize."
More from coach Slanoc: "It's one of those things. You have to make a tackle here, hold on to the ball there. It's a tough lesson learned. It's a tough loss."
United Valley coach Lou McElwee: "The boys never gave up. They wanted it. And I told them, 'it would take heart. If you want to come back and win this ballgame on homecoming night, it will take heart and it will take drive.'"
Oleksa: "We had the momentum going into overtime. I wish I could have broken that one loose and the end of the game. But our defense came up big in overtime, got a stop, and gave us the win."
Notable: Burkett completed 12 of 15 passes for 176 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for a score but threw one interception ... Robert Bagby (55 yards) and Connor Sciko (23) caught touchdown passes. Dominic Berardinelli returned a punt 91 yards for a Mustangs score in the first quarter. ... United Valley freshman quarterback Bryce Cook completed his only pass attempt (12 yards). ... The Lions committed 13 penalties for 96 yards. ... A fine rain descended on the playing field in the last several minutes of the fourth quarter.
Team records: Portage (3-5), United Valley (2-6).
Next week: Portage travels to Purchase Line, and United Valley visits Penns Manor on Friday.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Portage 7 14 8 0 0 -- 29
United Valley 14 7 0 8 7 -- 36
First Quarter
UV -- Oleksa 54 run (Riffer kick), 10:24.
P -- Berardinelli 91 punt return (Bednarski kick), 6:13.
UV -- Oleksa 34 run (Riffer kick), 4:45.
Second Quarter
UV -- Oleksa, 73 run (Riffer kick), 11:03.
P -- Bagby 55 pass from Burkett (Bednarski kick), 10:03.
P -- Sciko 23 pass from Burkett (Bednarski kick), 5;46.
Third Quarter
P -- Burkett 1 run (Burkett run), 8:21.
Fourth Quarter
UV -- Oleksa 1 run (Oleksa run), 3:15.
Overtime
UV -- Oleksa, 1 run (Riffer kick)
TEAM STATISTICS P UV
First downs 17 12
Total yards 361 338
Rushes-yards 34-185 50-326
Yards passing 176 12
Passing (comp.-att.-int.) 12-15-1 1-1-0
Punts-avg. 2-13.5 5-31.0
Fumbles-lost 6-3 3-1
Penalties-yards 4-35 13-96
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING: Portage, Simala 18-122, Berardinelli 8-30, Stauski 2-13, Burkett 2-11, Shaffer 2-11, TEAM 2-(-2). United Valley, Oleksa 17-233, Szymusiak 18-100, Cook 8-27, McElwee 2-(-12), TEAM 5-(-22).
PASSING: Portage, Burkett 12-15-1-176. United Valley, Cook 1-1-0-12.
RECEIVING: Portage, Bagby 4-49, Simala 4-42, Berardinelli 3-30, Stauski 1-55. United Valley, McElwee 1-12.